Buckle



' .(No Model.)

J. T. MERRITT.

BUGKLB. No. 429,768. Patented June 10,1890.

Hdiigesscs UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

JESSE THOMAS MERRITT, OF FAYETTEVILLE, TENNESSEE.

BUCKLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 429,768, dated June 10, 1890.

Application filed August 9, 1889- Seriallio. 320,272- (No model.)

T0 at whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J nssn THOMAS MERRITT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fayetteville, in the county of Lincoln and State of Tennessee, have invented a new and useful Buckle, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in buckles; and it consists in certain novel features hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved buckle. Figs. 2 and 3 are longitudinal sections of the same, showing the manner of securing the strap. Fig. 4 is a detail horizontal section of one end. Fig. 5 is a View of the buckle adapted to secure the trace to the whiflietree, and Fig. 6 is a View showing the buckle arranged to secure two straps which meet at a right angle.

In carrying out my invention I employ a tube or casing A, having open ends and provided along its top side with a longitudinal groove B, and having its bottom 0 extended at one end, as shown, this extended portion D being provided with an eye or hook adapted to engage the hook on the hame, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. The bottom of the casing consists of two plates, the lower one being continuous and unbroken and the upper one being provided with a longitudinal slot F, as clearly shown. WVithin the casing, at one end of the same, I arrange the transverse bars G H, which extend across the groove B and slot F, and thereby prevent the withdrawal of the tongue or fastening-pin I, as will be readily understood. The tongue I consists of a cylindrical pin fitted in the slot F and having an enlarged head, which engages the under side of the upper plate forming (the bottom, so that the said tongue is free to slide along the said slot, and will then be permanently retained in its place.

In practice the end of the strap is inserted through the casing, and thezto'ngue is thereby pushed along the slot F until it has been pushed entirely beyond the end of the casing. The proper perforation can then be engaged over the tongue, and when the strain is put on the strap it will be drawn rearward through the casing until the tongue is brought into contact with the bars G II, when the movement of the tongue will be arrested and the strap secured.

It will be seen from the foregoing that I have provided a buckle which is very simple in its construction and which can be Very easily secured in place. By the use of my buckle I dispense with all rivets or securingthreads, which secure the buckle to the strap and consequently increase the durability of the strap.

The device can be very quickly applied to and detached from the strap, so that the labor of harnessing and unharnessing the horse is materially facilitated.

In Fig. 5 I have shown the buckle especially adapted to secure the trace to the whiffletree. In this form the buckle is provided at one end with a ferrule K, which is secured to the end of the whiffletree, and the strap is secured in the buckle in the manner above described.

In Fig. 6 I have shown the buckle modified, so as to secure two straps which meet at a right angle. In this form two buckles are employed, one of them being provided on its side with a loop L and the other having its end pivoted to said loop.

These modifications involve no departure from my invention, and it will be readily understood that I do not limit myself to the exact details shown in the drawings, as the buckle may be readily adapted for use in various positions, as will be readily understood.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

1. A buckle consisting of a casing having a longitudinal slot in its bottom, and a sliding tongue comprising a pin projecting through said slot, and a head engaging the walls of the same, as set forth.

2. A buckle consisting of a casing having its bottom formed of two plates, the upper plate having a longitudinal slot, and a sliding tongue comprising a pin projecting through said slot, and a head engaging under the said plate, asset forth.

3. A buckle consisting of a casing provided with a longitudinal slot in its bottom and a In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in to presence of two Witnesses.

J ESSE THOMAS MERRITT.

\Vitnesses:

Ms. W. wrOODWIN, J. W. LLOYD. 

